Catafalque



J. lJ. SLEVIN. REFRIGERATING GATAFALQUB.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet', 1.

l No. 273,771. v Patented 1111.111883.

WITNBSSBS:

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. J. SLEVIN.

RBPRIGBRATING GATAPALQUB.

Patented Mar. 13,1883.

WITNBSSBS l INV T0 M UNTTED STATES PATENT Ormea.

JAMES J. SLEVIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RFRIGERATING-CATAFALQUE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 273,771, dated Marchv 13, 1883,

Application led July 15, 1882.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JAMES JOSEPH SLEVIN, a citizen ofthe Uni-ted States, residing at New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented ce'rtain new and useful Improvements in Bel'rigeratingCatailques, ot' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in refrigeratingcatatalques or corpse-coolers, such as described in the specihcation annexed to Letters Patent ot' the United States granted to me and bearing date onor about the 14th day ot' July, 1874, and numbered 153,022; and it consists, first, in improvements in the construction of the various parts, whereby the device may be more readily taken apart in small sections for transportation; and it further consists in the peculiar construction of the walls of the respective portions ofthe device, whereby they are enabled more eftectually to preserve an equal temperature within the catafalque, and to the means ot' supporting, holding, and supplying the ice or refrigerating material within the device.

That my invention may be fully understood, I will describe the same in detail by aid of the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specilication.

ln the said drawings, Figure l is an external side view, Fig. 2 a vertical section, and Fig. 3 a transverse section, of a ret'rigeratingcatatalque or corpse-cooler constructed according to my invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same with the cover and upper chamber removed. Fig. 5 is a detail view of parts.

In each of the views similar letters of reference indicate like parts wherever they occur.

The catafalque is formed with two chambers, A B, the chamber A being the ice or refrigerating chamber and B the corpse-chamber.

C is a foundation-piece, of rectangular form, adapted to receive a stretcher or removable platform, c, upon which the corpse is laid out. This rectangular foundation-piece C is also formed with a groove, c', all round its upper edges for the reception of the extensions b of the various sections or portions forming the walls B of the corpse-chamber B, and also with stud-holes for the reception of pins b', extending from theunder sideof the corner-pieces of the end sections, B2, of the walls B for the purpose of more securely holding the same in (No model.)

position,as hereinafter explained. Each ofthe end sections, B2, and side sections, B3, of the walls B is formed with double glass panels b2 I)2 b3 b3, which are held apart and tixed airtight in the sections of the wall B by means of beads or strips ot' wood b4 b, or other suitable material, provided with a suitable packing means, leaving a dead-air space, b5, between the panels. The edges o i' the parts B2 B2 BJ B3 of the walls B, where they come together or against the'foundation-piece C or the Walls ofthe upper chamber, A, are so formed that a perfect lap or scaled joint shall be obtained, so that when the parts are in proper position with a corpse laid out within the chamber B the joints shall be practically air-tight.

Each end ot' the upper portions ofthe walls Bl is provided with loops or eyes d for the reception of hooks or catches d', extending from the end ofa trough, D, which serves to support the pails or receivers D', in which the ice or other refrigeratin g material is placed, and also as a receiver to prevent any water of condensation or any watery liquid or material heilig accidentally dropped or allowed to fall onto the corpse laid out below. The trough D, by aid ot' the hooks d d and loops d d, serves to hold the end sections firmly in position, thereby enabling the side sections, B3 B3, by simply tilting the upper structure on one side or alternately one side and the other side, to be one or both removed for the purpose of putting flowers, ornaments, or devices upon the corpse after it has been laid out or for other purposes without in any way disturbing the corpse or any ofthe other portions of the device.

The ice-chamber A is formed ot' a rectangular frame or structure, by preference made of wood, the sides being so formed that a hollow or dead-air space, a, is formed in each of the walls of the chamber A for the purpose of preventing the effect of the external atmosphere 011 the refrigeratin g material and air contained and circulating in the chamber A to and from the chamber B. The chamber A is closed at the upper end by a top or cover, E, which is so formed at e as to fit tightly all around the top of the walls of the chamber A, but is capable of being easily lifted off for the purpose of inserting or withdrawing the pails or receivers D', in which the ice or other refrigerating material is contained.

IOC)

Although I have shown and described the walls B' ot" the chamber B as formed in four sections or parts, the number of sections or parts may be varied according to circumstances or the fancy of theV builder or undertaker. In some cases I can form the walls B' in one piece.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, in a refrigerating-catafalque or corpse-cooler,

1. The combination of the refrigeratingchamber A, trough D, a chamber, B, formed with transparant double panels b2 b2 b3 b3 and deadfair spaces b5, and a foundation-piece,`0,

constructed and adapted for operation substan# the trough D, receivers D', loops d, and hooks d', or their equivalents, sectional chamber B, provided with removable sides B3, having transparent panels, and avfoundation-piece, C, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with the refrigeratingcham ber A, having hollow Walls provided with dead-air space a, of the removable trough D, receivers D', and a chamber, B, having transparent panels provided with intervening deadair spaces, substan tiall y as and for the purposes specied.

5. The combination, with the refrigeratingchamber A, having hollow Walls provided with dead-air spaces a, of the removable sustainingtrough D, receivers D', and a chamber, B, formed in sections B2 B3, a foundation-piece, C, and stretcher or corpse-support c, substantially as shown and described.

In witness whereof l have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of July, 1882.

JAMES J. SLEVIN.

Witnesses J. E. WARNER. W. L. BENNEM. 

